The Lighthouse Team
Joshua · Owner
Joshua founded Lighthouse with a simple vision: to create a place where people from around the world can experience the traditions of the Amazon in a safe, authentic, and welcoming environment.
He is involved in all aspects of the retreat, from organizing the guest experience to making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. You'll often find him helping wherever needed, answering questions, sharing a meal with guests, or simply having a conversation.
For Joshua, Lighthouse is about more than running a retreat. He wants guests to feel at home, build genuine connections, and experience the Amazon in a meaningful way.
Eric · Chef
Eric is responsible for the meals served at Lighthouse and brings a lot of creativity to the kitchen. He prepares fresh, plant-based food using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
He pays close attention to both flavor and presentation, turning simple ingredients into colorful and nourishing meals.
For Eric, cooking is an important part of creating a welcoming retreat environment. His food helps guests stay nourished throughout their time in the Amazon, and he takes great pride in what comes out of his kitchen.
Natalia · Guest Manager
Natalia is the Guest Manager at Lighthouse, supporting guests throughout their stay and helping create a safe, warm, and welcoming environment.
With a calm and caring presence, she offers emotional support, grounding, and a listening ear during both the challenging and beautiful moments of the retreat. She is there to help guests feel seen, supported, and cared for throughout their journey.
Alongside her role as Guest Manager, Natalia also offers yoga and sound healing, creating space for guests to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and find stillness.
Lenin · Caretaker
Lenin is the craftsman behind much of the physical retreat. Living in a nearby Amazonian village, he has helped build and maintain everything from guest accommodations to handcrafted furniture.
A carpenter by trade, Lenin also takes care of construction, electrical work, plumbing, boat transportation, and countless other practical jobs that keep Lighthouse running.
He is known for his quiet nature and attention to detail. One of his more unexpected talents is making animal shapes out of towels for guests' rooms. If you arrive to find a towel creation waiting on your bed, Lenin is probably responsible.
Rusbel · Caretaker
Rusbel was born and raised in Yanamono, a village along the Amazon River, and has spent his life surrounded by the rainforest and its communities.
At Lighthouse, he helps with the day-to-day work of the retreat and makes sure guests have what they need during their stay. He enjoys working alongside the rest of the team and meeting people who have traveled from around the world to experience the Amazon.
His connection to the local community and his lifelong experience in the region are an important part of the Lighthouse team.
Karen · Photography & Gardens
Karen brings together her creativity and love of nature through photography, gardening, and our permaculture projects.
She is the photographer behind many of the memories guests take home, capturing authentic moments of retreat life with a thoughtful and unobtrusive approach.
When she's not behind the camera, Karen enjoys caring for the gardens, birdwatching, hiking through the rainforest, and exploring the Amazon by bicycle.
Arriba · The Swimming Stick Hunter
Every retreat needs someone whose main job is to make people smile. At Lighthouse, that's Arriba.
She loves three things above all else: good food, affection, and swimming after a stick in the Amazon River. If someone is willing to throw it, she'll happily retrieve it again and again.
Arriba is part of the little family of dogs and cats that live around the retreat. She greets arriving guests, joins walks around the property, and generally keeps an eye on what's happening.
Her official title is The Swimming Stick Hunter. The position is permanent.
